The Chew Valley is unique in the West Country, comprising some four hundred and seventy square kilometres of unspoilt and protected countryside, including The Mendip Hills: a designated Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. The Valley occupies the area between Bath, Bristol and Wells, and the pretty North Somerset Coast.
Dominating the area are the lakes of Chew Valley and Blagdon: notable for their fishing, birdlife, hiking/walking, cycling, sailing and nature study amenities.
We're located beside Chew Valley Lake, in the heart of the valley. An important site for wildlife, Chew Valley Lake has been dedicated as a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) and a Special Protection Area (SPA). It is a national centre for birdwatching, with over 260 species recorded, including some unusual sightings.
We're also fortunate enough to be in the Mendip Hills, a range of limestone hills designated as an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB): this gives the whole area a level of protection comparable to that of a national park. The hills overlook the city of Bath, and are the source of its world famous healing mineral waters.
The villages in the Valley are all unspoilt and each has its own individual charm and character. Local facilities in Bishop Sutton include a convenience shop, post office, mini supermarket, hairdressers, a pub, a restaurant, and a tennis club. The New Manor Farm Shop and Tea Rooms are just four minutes drive away from Meadow View.
The villages of Chew Magna and Chew Stoke, five minutes drive away, to the north of Chew Valley Lake: have an independent coffee shop, gift shop, delicatessen, hairdresser and beauty therapists, post office, mini-supermarket, doctors surgery, pharmacy, gastro-pubs, gin distillers, wood-fired pizza van and cricket club.
There are many fantastic local food markets in our area; the Chew Magna Women's Institute Market is on a Friday morning; the Bath Farmers' Market (which was the first in the country!) is on Saturday mornings; the Bath Artisan Market happens on Sundays during the year; Wells market which happens twice a week on Wednesday and Saturday mornings, the Bristol Slow Food Market on the first Sunday of every month, and the Frome Independent 'reclaim the high street' market is always very popular.
Only seven miles to the north of the Chew Valley is the City of Bristol, the West Country's financial and business centre, while the charming City of Bath, an UNESCO world heritage site, with its Roman origins and Georgian architectural masterpieces is under half an hour drive to the east. On the southern side of the Mendip Hills is the historic City of Wells, England's smallest, with its ancient Cathedral. Also just south of the Chew Valley is Frome: a market town with a charming historic centre; a wealth of architectural interest alongside a thriving contemporary and performing arts scene; and a wide variety of shops and cafés, many of them independent and specialist.
The renowned Cheddar Gorge is a short distance away offering spectacular views of mountain goats and Soay sheep on its precipitous slopes.
Those who are looking for outdoor pursuits can explore the caves of Wookey Hole; go for a glider flight; dodge paintballs; ride quad-bikes; go sailing or fishing right next-door to us on Chew Valley Lake; golfing; skiing or snowboarding; clay pigeon shooting or go-karting.
For cyclists, our own village of Bishop Sutton is on the famous Land's End to John O'Groats route, and the intersection of National Cycle Network Route 3 and Regional Cycle Network Route 10 (The Avon Cycleway).
We're in walking distance of Folly Farm Centre and a short drive from the Yeo Valley Centre: if you're attending an event or wedding at either of these.
We're also very close to 'Valley Fest', an organic food and music festival that takes place by Chew Valley Lake.